BOARD01003

• Board Meeting Date: 11/19/1956
• Description: Meeting Minutes
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

519

office in Denver the contract is essentially ready for start
of repayment negotiations with the water users.

Definite Plan Investiqation

Curecanti Unit.--A reconnaissance cost estimate for a concrete
arch dam at the Morrow Point site to water surface elevation 7,400
has been received from the Chief Engineer. This estimate in I
combination with estimates for the smaller size dam backing
water up to Blue Mesa Dam, is being used to formulate the most
economical size dam for the Morrow Point and to determine wheth-
er the single dam or the Blue Mesa-Morrow Point combination is .
the most economical. The present schedule calls for submission
of a special report to our Commissioner in June, 1957, to estab-
lish economic feasibility as required by Public Law 485, however,
the Curecanti studies have been given priority following the de-
finite plan report on Glen Canyon which is due in February. The
approved Curecanti Special Report will provide the ba.sis for
early preparation of the definite plan report. It is hoped that
this will provide for the initiation of construction.in F.Y. 1958.

Paonia Project.--Tentative water supply operation studies have
been completed calling for an increase in total storage capacity
for Paonia reservoir from 18,000 to 21,000 acre-feet. A con-
tract was awarded for drilling 19 more holes at the dam.site
which will permit the Chief Engineer.to go forward with the pre-
paration of final designs and specifications to begin in Decem-
ber as scheduled. Necessary revisions in repayment contract
were discussed with representatives of the water users in Salt
Lake City last week but final decision as to whether present
contract can be amended or whether a new contract will be needed
is to be deferred until completion of the definite plan report
about April. In any event, we feel sure funds will be available
for construction in the F. Y. 1958. No definite assurance can
be obtained from the Overland Canal Company that they will parti-
cipate in the project; therefore it has been necessary to under-
take alternatire studies for serving water to Redlands Mesa by
means of other than the enlargement of the Overland Canal.

Smith Fork Project.-- Initial steps to be taken in the organiza-
tion of the Conservancy District have been discussed with the
attorney for the water association. Present plans are to com-
plete the conservancy district organization by next August in
order to get a tax levy established for the calendar year 1958.
Land classification is to be completed this winter. Construction
of Crawford Dam is scheduled to start in the F.Y. 1959.

I

Silt Project.--Bids were received for topographic mapping by
photogrammetric contract of about 12,000 acres encompassing the
project lands. Award of contract has been held up pending a
determination as to whether a combined bid including the project
lands of the West Divide project can be financed. It now appears